As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 49-year-old dad explains his approach to spending and saving.
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Gender: Male.
Age: 49.
Ethnicity: Pākehā Māori.
Role: Stay-at-home dad.
Salary/income/assets: Household income of $130,000, $600,000 equity in house, $280,000 mortgage, $110,000 in KiwiSavers and various shares, crypto.
My living location is: Urban.
Rent/mortgage per week: $950 a week mortgage, couple.
Student loan or other debt payments per week: Zero student loan payments, But have $20,000 student loan – intend to let inflation do its work while it is interest free.
Typical weekly food costs
Groceries: $330.
Eating out: $20.
Takeaways: $100.
Workday lunches: Zero.
Cafe coffees/snacks: $10.
Savings: $200-300 investing, trying to generate income.
I worry about money: Sometimes.
Three words to describe my financial situation: Secure, comfortable, a little cheapskate in some things.
My biggest edible indulgence would be: KFC.
In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: Zero.
In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: $10 petrol per week, drive only 8km per day.
I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $200.
My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Hoodie, $40.
My last pair of shoes cost: $27 from Temu.
My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: $200 plus on shaving products.
My exercise expenditure in a year is about: $800 gym, and various supplements.
My last Friday night cost: $0, stay home mostly.
Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: $400 on a cordless vacuum. Suction is crap.
Most indulgent purchase (that I don’t regret) in the last 12 months was: A computer part, $800 GPU.
One area where I’m a bit of a tightwad is: Entertainment – “I sail the high seas.”
Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Detail-oriented, prudent, frugal, disciplined, conscientious.
I grew up in a house where money was: Never talked about, 70s/80s. Both parents worked, never seemed an issue.
The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Never.
In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: Wanting the retirement fund to have more in it.
Describe your financial low: Missed opportunities over the course of a life that presented themselves but I did not recognise them at the time.
I would love to have more money for: Overseas travel.
I give money away to: No one.
